Denmark, considered one of Bermuda?s strongest opponents in this summer?s ICC Trophy in Ireland, suffered a humiliating defeat in their build-up to that event yesterday when they made their first appearance in England?s Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Playing competitive cricket against an English county team for the first time, the Danes slumped to 56 all out as Northamptonshire?s Charl Pietersen grabbed seven wickets for ten runs on his debut.

No Danish batsman reached double figures in the first round match, while 24 of the home team?s total came from extras.

Pietersen recorded the fourth-best bowling figures in the tournament?s history as Northants passed the target in 16.5 overs to win by eight wickets at the Svanholm Cricket Club in Copenhagen.

?We knew it was going to be difficult,? said Danish coach Peter Palle Klokker. ?We have a lot of young players and it was good for them to test themselves against the professionals.?

Bermuda, who defeated Denmark by two runs in a nailbiting finish at the last ICC Trophy in Toronto, Canada, four years ago, have been grouped alongside the Danes again this year.

Following matches against Ireland (July 1) and United Arab Emirates (July 2), they are scheduled to meet the Danes on July 4 at the Cliftonville ground outside Belfast.

Ireland, Scotland and Holland are also competing in the the C&G Trophy ? a one-day single-elimination competition featuring the 18 professional county teams in England and Wales and minor counties ? as part of their build-up to this summer?s ICC Trophy.

However, none of those four countries will able to enter the tournament from next year when it moves to a league format.

Put into bat against Yorkshire yesterday, Ireland were struggling at 33 for three when rain stopped play. That game will resume this morning at the same time as Scotland begin their match against Worcestershire, last year?s beaten finalists.

Of all the guest countries playing yesterday, Holland were faring best at their Rotterdam ground as they restricted Warwickshire to 237 for five and in reply were 101 for four after 27 overs when play ended. That game will also resume this morning..